Book-support



(No Model.)

H. W. SOHRODER. BOOK SUPPORT.

No. 346,417. Patented July 27, 1886.

N PETERS. Phnlmlmhcgraphir, Waihingnm D. c.

UNITED TATES HENRY \V. SOHRODER, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

BOOK-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346,417, dated July 27, 1886.

A plicatinn filed November 12, 1835. Serial No. 182,625. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY W. Scnaonna, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book Supports, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an adjustable book supporting and holding device, the object of my invention being to provide a device particularly adapted for use with large blanle books when opened at one side of the center, the device being adapted to support the smaller side at the proper height to correspond with the leaves on the other side, and thus level up the pages for writing. It is also adapted to bind the leaves together. and thus hold the page in use tight and smooth.

My invention consists in the constructions and combinations hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is apcrspective view of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same in use with a book thereon, different positions of adjustment being indicated therein by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a catch for holding the supporting-table in dilferentpositions of adjustment, and Fig. 4 is a modified form of catch.

The base of the device consists, preferably, of acircular disk cast with a laterally-projecting stem, at, on the outer end of which is a cross bar, a

Secured to the circular disk a, near the (enterthereoflare two upright studs. 1) b, on which are lit-ted sliding heads 0 and (Z. The lower one of these sliding heads is provided with an opening extending laterally through the same between the studs b and b and at right angles thereto. Through this opening is adapted to slide the end 0, of a T-shaped piece, 0", which forms the supporting frame ortable. The end or stem 0 of this supporting-table is provided with a series of notches or serrations, 0, adapted to be engaged by a small gravityclutch, c". This gravity clutch consists, preferably, of a thin sheet of steel or other suitable material provided with an opening, through which the serrated stem 0 is adapted to pass, the said opening being of a larger diameter than the stem. The catch is pivoted at c eccentrically to the stem 0, and is adapted by its gravity to fall between the notches or serrations on the stem 0 and prevent said stem from drawing through the block 0. The catch is provided with a small thumb-rest, c, on one side thereof, a downward pressure on which is adapted to raise the catch and disengage the stem, so that it may be drawn through the block 0.

The supporting-table c is preferably made of the same general outline as the base stem a and is hinged thereto by parallel bars a 6'. These parallel bars 6 6 hold the supportingtable at all times parallel with the base, and at the same time furnish the means for raising and lowering the said table by simply moving the stem 0 through the block 0, the said block or head 0 sliding on the studsb I) as the table is raised or lowered. By this arrangement it will be seen that the snpportingtable may be readily adjusted to any desired height to snit different books or different arrange ments of the same book. The serrations on the stem 0 are preferably made to catch one way only, so that the stem may be drawn through the block to raise the table without releasing the catch, though, if desired, the notches may be made to hold the stem against longitudinal movementin either direction.

Now, in order that the book may be held firmly in its position on the table and the leaves held down, it is desirable that means be provided for clamping the back of the books and the opened leaves on the said table; this I accomplish as follows: The sliding head d, before referred to, is provided at the front with two lugs, (1 cl, between which is pivoted the rear end of a clampingarnnf. This clamping-armf is provided at the rear with an upwardly-projectinglug or shoulder, f, against which the end of an adjusting-screw, h, is adapted tobcar. This adj llSLlllg-SCIQW h passes through a projection, h, 011 thesliding block d, and is screwed therein. By turning the screw it inwardly, it will be seen that the clampingarm will be forced down against the leaves of the book resting on the table, thus clamping said leaves, with the book-back, firmly be tween said arm and the table. The sliding head (1 is provided with a set-screw, 1 by which it may be held at any desired position If desired,

of adjustment along the studs 1) b.

a small spring, Z, may be secured to the block d, and adapted to bear against the under side of the clamping'arm, as shown, so as to press the shoulder f at all times against the screw h, thus holding the arm up while the book is being placed on the table, though this may be dispensed with or other means provided for the purpose, if desired.

In Fig. 4 a modified form of catch is shown for the stem 0. In this form the stem 0 is screw-threaded and provided with an adjusting-nut having pivoted clutch-levers orjaws, n. The body of the nut is not screw-threaded, but is adapted to slide freely on said stem. Thejaws it, however, are provided with serrations adapted to fit the threads on said stem, andare normally held into engagement with said stem by an annular spring, which encircles the said nut and presses against the serrated ends of the pivoted jaws it. When thejaws are in their normal position, the nut may be screwed backward or forward along the stem by turning the same as in the case of an ordinary nut. By pressing on the outer or free ends of the pivoted jaws or levers the stem will be released by said jaws, and the nut may be slipped along the stem to any desired point. By this construction the nut admits of either a slow or rapid adjustment.

This device, it will be seen, is both simple and effective, and is adapted to be adjusted for any position of the book and hold the same firmly thereon.

I am aware that book-supports having adjustable tables and clamping-arms have been used before. I do not therefore claim this construction broadly; but

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a book-support, the base provided with the upright guiding studs, a sliding head on said studs, an adjustable supporting-table hinged by parallel bars to said base and connected by a stem to said sliding head, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the base provided with the upright studs, the sliding head on said studs, and an adjustable supporting-table hinged by parallel bars to said base and connected by a stem to said sliding head, of a hinged clamping-arm supported by said studs over said table and a clamping-screw adapted to operate said arm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with the base having upright studs thereon, of the adjustable supporting-table hinged by parallel bars to said base, and provided with the serrated stem adapted to pass through a sliding'block on said studs, and a catch to engage said serratious and hold said stem in diiferent positions of adjustment, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the base and the upright studs thereon, of the sliding heads 0 and 11, table of, having a serrated stem extending through the block a, a catch adapted to engage said serrations-on said sliding head, the swinging arm f. pivoted to the arm d, and screw h, substantially as and for the purpose Set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of October, A. D. 1885.

F. WILLIs BAINES, P. J. GLEVENGER. 

